The ACCC proposes to revoke authorisation AA1000453 and grant authorisation AA1000610 in substitution to enable the Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group (GVWRRG) and North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group (NEWRRG), on behalf of themselves and 18 councils and alpine resort management boards located in regional areas (together, the Applicants) to jointly procure waste and resource recovery services.
The current application AA1000610 is for the same arrangements as the previous authorisation AA1000453 but seeks to add councils from the North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group, and to remove two New South Wales councils which no longer wish to participate.
The Applicants advise that, for a range of reasons, the applicants under the previous authorisation AA1000453 have not yet elected to engage in any of the authorised conduct.
The ACCC considers the arrangements are likely to result in public benefits including environmental benefits, reduced transaction costs, improved efficiencies and investment, and increased competition. The ACCC considers that the arrangements are likely to result in minimal public detriment.
The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation until 1 July 2041.
Further information about the ACCC’s interim authorisation and draft determination is available on the ACCC public register at: Goulburn Valley & North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group.